April 4, 2013

NEW CUMBERLAND - State and federal authorities have arrested 22 individuals and are looking for 17 others allegedly involved in a drug trafficking ring northern Hancock County.

The arrests, which capped a year-long probe, targeted what authorities referred to as a "significant heroin and crack cocaine trafficking organization" operating in the Chester and Newell areas.

Nineteen of the drug defendants were named in three separate federal indictments detailing a total of 94-counts related to the distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, powder and crack cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana. The other 20 will face state charges.